Creation To Christ- Week 7 Bible Study

Youth Devotional Creation to Christ- Week 7

©Tad Wychopen 2009 Day 1 Daily Reading: Exodus 7:1-25; Psalm 56 In Exodus 5, it was clear that Pharaoh did not want to let the children of Israel go. In fact, he increased their labor. The leaders of Israel were discouraged and did not believe Moses. In chapter 6, God reiterated His promise to Moses and the children of Israel. They would be released; however, Pharaoh would not release them easily. 1.) Who would assist Moses in talking to Pharaoh? (Exodus 7:1-2) 2.) What command were they to give to Pharaoh? 3.) Would Pharaoh listen and obey? Explanation: The purpose for God sending the plagues upon Egypt is mentioned in verse 5, “The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” God was clearly demonstrating His power to the people that did not trust in Him. These events took place around 1445 BC; it was just a little more that 400 years after Jacob had entered the land of Egypt. 4.) What miracle did God perform I verses 8-13? 5.) Did Pharaoh allow Israel to go? (7:13) 6.) What was the first plague that the God of the Hebrews would send on Egypt? (verses 14-19) 7.) Read Exodus 7:20-21. Did this plague take place as God said it would? What were the three results of this plague listed in verse 21? 8.) Could the magicians of Egypt reverse the plague of the blood? 9.) What happened to Pharaoh because of this plague? (verse 23) Explanation: Did you notice that everything God said would happen came true? God’s word ALWAYS comes true. The word plague means a widespread natural disaster. Pharaoh’s heart was very hard. He did not want to submit to God and let the children of Israel go. God brought plagues upon Egypt to accomplish His will. Application: God will not allow disobedience to continue against Him. He punishes or corrects when people need it. Egypt was not letting Israel go, so God brought plagues. Your heart should be soft towards God, not hard like Pharaoh’s heart. What will God have to do to get your attention and make you realize that He is Lord? Day 2 Daily Reading: Exodus 8-9; Proverbs 13 The children of Israel were still under bondage by Pharaoh. Although the plague of the water into blood was devastating for Egypt, there was no changing of Pharaoh’s mind. Pharaoh just hardened his heart towards Moses, God, and the children of Israel. 1.) Read Exodus 8:5-7. What new plague came on Egypt?

2.) Pharaoh begged for these frogs to be taken away. He promised to let the children of Israel go. Read Exodus 8:15. Did Pharaoh keep his word? 3.) Read Exodus 8: 6-19. Could the magicians copy the plague of the lice? 4.) Who did they say created the lice? 5.) Did Pharaoh let the children of Israel go after the plague of lice? 6.) Did Pharaoh let the children of Israel go after the plague of flies? Explanation: Pharaoh would not humble himself and let the children of Israel go. God put on a display of power to Israel, Pharaoh, and all the Egyptians. God is sovereign and He is very powerful! No man could do the things that God was doing; however, Pharaoh would not submit to God. Disobedience brings disastrous results. 7.) After all the cattle and livestock died, did Pharaoh let the people go? (9:7) 8.) After all the Egyptians had boils, did Pharaoh let the children of Israel go? (9:12) 9.) When the hail came, whose crops were spared? (9:20-21; 26) 10.)What was Pharaoh’s response to the hail? (9:27-28) Explanation: Wow! Pharaoh is finally letting up! He acknowledges that he is a sinner and that God is righteous. It seems like the children of Israel will finally be able to leave. 11.)Read Exodus 9:35. Did Pharaoh let the people go? Explanation: Pharaoh showed remorse over his sin because of the punishment, but he did not have a true heart of change. Unfortunately, Pharaoh thought that he could be greater than God could. Pharaoh had to learn that God is sovereign and man is not. Application: God wants you to humble yourself and submit to Him. Some people think that is a ridiculous idea. What do you think? Have you let God be the King and Lord of your life? If not, you should immediately give Him control of your life; the road to learning that God is sovereign and you are not can be very difficult! Day 3 Daily Reading: Exodus 10:1-29; Psalm 57 Pharaoh continued to harden his heart towards the Lord. Pharaoh thought that he could outlast God’s plagues. Pharaoh thought that he was more powerful than Jehovah God. Even after seven terrible plagues, Pharaoh denied the request for the children of Israel to be able to leave Egypt. God would not allow Pharaoh to get away with his sin. Jehovah God would show Israel and the entire world that HE is LORD. 1.) Why did God harden the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants? (Exodus 10:1-2) 2.) Did God give Pharaoh an opportunity to repent, humble himself, and release ALL of the children of Israel before the coming of the eighth plague? (10:3-4) 3.) What was Pharaoh’s response to Moses and Aaron’s request? (10:10-11) 4.) How did Pharaoh respond to the eighth plague? (10:16-17, 20) Did Pharaoh finally let them go?

Explanation: Pharaoh did not allow the children of Israel to go. Moses and Aaron had asked for all the children of Israel to be able to go worship. However, Pharaoh said that just the men could go. The Egyptian women did not go with the men when they worshiped their false gods. Pharaoh was conceding a little bit, but he was keeping the women and children as a ransom so that the men would return. God was not going to bargain with Pharaoh. Despite the terrible plague of the locusts, Pharaoh did not let the children of Israel go worship. 5.) Describe the ninth plague that God sent on Egypt. (10:21-23) 6.) What did Pharaoh want the children of Israel to leave behind when they went out in the wilderness to worship God? (10:24) 7.) Was this limitation acceptable before the Lord? (10:24-26) 8.) Did Pharaoh let the children of Israel go? 9.) What would happen if Moses came before Pharaoh again? Explanation: Pharaoh continued to deny the request of Moses and the children of Israel. God would not hold back His wrath on this terrible sin. God was both merciful by giving Pharaoh chances to let the people go, and He was just in giving Pharaoh and Egypt what they deserved for disobeying the Lord. Nothing that Pharaoh did surprised the Lord. God was using these events to make His glory known. Application: God knows what will happen before it happens. He knows the future; He knew that Pharaoh would not let the Children of Israel go. Does anything that a person says, thinks, or does surprise the Lord? NO, God is all-powerful and all-knowing. His power was displayed before Egypt and the children of Israel. Will you submit yourself to this all-powerful, all knowing God? Our responsibility is to trust and obey God. Everything that the Word of God says must be trusted and obeyed! Give thanks that we serve an all-knowing and all-powerful Lord! Day 4 Daily Reading: Exodus 11:1-12:28; Proverbs 14 Some might look at God as terrible and mean since He sent so many plagues to the land of Egypt. Some might feel bad for the Egyptians for all they had to endure. The truth is that God was very merciful to the Egyptians. From the life of Adam and Eve, we learn that disobeying God’s command brings death. Pharaoh deserved to die for disobeying the command of God; however, God was merciful and gave Pharaoh a way to turn from his sin. Pharaoh rejected God’s offer. Exodus 11 and 12 tell us how God is very merciful to His people! 1.) After the last plague, what did God say would happen to the children of Israel? (Exodus 11:1) 2.) What did the Egyptian people and Pharaoh’s servants think of the Israelites and Moses? 3.) Read Exodus 11:4-8. What did God say would happen in the tenth plague? 4.) Carefully read Exodus 12:3-10 and 12:21-23. What were the steps that the Israelites had to take so that their firstborn son would not die? 5.) When the Lord passed through Egypt and saw a house without the blood over the door, what would He do? (12:12-13) What if they had obeyed the Lord and put the blood over the doorpost? 6.) Was this process of killing the lamb a one time event, or would it continue? (12:14 & 24-25) 7.) What were the Israelites to tell their children that this service, the Passover sacrifice, meant? (12:2627)

8.) Did the children of Israel obey the Lord? (12:28) Explanation: In Exodus 12, God established the Passover sacrifice. God was giving mercy to the children of Israel; every family that obeyed the word of the Lord would have their firstborn child spared. Those that did not obey would wake up the next morning to a dead firstborn. God punishes sin, but He also gives mercy! There were many symbols in this Passover that will be seen later in the Bible. Notice that God wanted a perfect, spotless lamb to be killed. Death is the punishment of sin and it requires a perfect, blameless sacrifice. Blood must be shed for a person to be forgiven of their sin. The children of Israel did not have their firstborn sons killed because they trusted the Lord. If a person thought that the Passover was dumb and did not obey, then they paid the consequences. What God promises always happens. Application: God’s Word always comes true! When God speaks, we must obey. We should never think that we know better than God does because God is all-knowing! God’s plan is perfect. Trusting God is sometimes very difficult, but the result of disobeying God is terrible. Will you trust in God and obey Him? God provided a perfect sacrifice for your sins. You cannot save yourself from your sins. Only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ can you be saved from the punishment for your sins. Trust and obey! Day 5 Daily Reading: Exodus 12:29-51; Psalm 58 Have you ever thought something like this, “Maybe God’s Word is not true. Maybe I don’t need to obey God. Maybe I am good enough to live without God.” If you have ever thought these things, then you probably thought the same way that Pharaoh thought. Pharaoh continued to harden his heart and reject God even after he had seen NINE devastating plagues! Pharaoh made the mistake of thinking that he could disobey God and get away with it. Don’t make that same mistake. 1.) According to Exodus 12:29, what happened at midnight in Egypt? 2.) How many Egyptian houses were spared from this terribly devastating plague? (12:30) Explanation: If you have ever doubted the power of God, if you have ever doubted the Word of God, let this passage be a warning to you: what God promises to do, He does! God’s Word ALWAYS comes true! God killed the firstborn in all of Egypt just as He had said. Exodus 12:29 makes it clear that this plague was a very devastating plague! Pharaoh was a fool for doubting God’s Word and His power. This is such a sad story of human rebellion and sinfulness, but it is also an amazing story of God’s mercy upon those that obey His Word. 3.) Did Pharaoh finally let the children of Israel go? (12:30-31) Explanation: Notice that Pharaoh says to Moses and Aaron, “And go, serve the Lord as you have said...and bless me also.” Pharaoh knew that he had been defeated. He even asked for blessing from the Lord. However, Pharaoh was not repenting of his sin; Pharaoh simply wanted a blessing in a terrible situation. 4.) When the Israelites left, what did they take with them? (12:31-36) 5.) How long were the children of Israel in Egypt? 6.) Consider Psalm 58:11. Do you believe that verse accurately describes how God handled Pharaoh and the children of Israel? Why or why not? Application: You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose your punishment. Often people think that their sin is not that bad. However, the truth is that sin is a terrible offense against God! God is just. God is holy. God is righteous. God must punish sin! God is also merciful. Will you trust and obey God and receive His mercy or will you reject His plan? Don’t make the same mistake that Pharaoh did.

Day 6 Daily Reading: Acts 13-14; Proverbs 15 Read Acts 13-14. In three or more sentences, explain the events of these chapters in Acts.

Day 7 Daily Reading: Proverbs 16; Psalm 59 Read Proverbs 16. 1.) According to Proverbs 16:16, what two things are better to gain than gold and silver? 2.) According to Proverbs 16:32, what kind of person is better than the mighty? 3.) Write down two verse references from Proverbs 16 that talk about pride. Read Psalm 59. Write down three or more attributes of God that are found in this Psalm.